Hundreds Sign Up For 1st ‘Cruise In Shoes’

ROYAL OAK, MI - AUGUST 17: (CAR FEATURE 1 of 5) More than a million and a half car enthusiasts line a 16 mile stretch of Woodward Avenue between Detroit and Pontiac, Michigan to watch approximately 30,000 classic and antique cars cruise by during the 8th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise August 17, 2002 in Royal Oak, Michigan. The Cruise is the world's largest one day auto event. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)Royal Oak - Woodward Ave. during Dream Cruise. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

By Christy Strawser
CBS Detroit Managing EditorROYAL OAK (CBS Detroit) Ready to see Elvis run for his life? Then you’re going to want to make sure to check out the first Cruise In Shoes 5K Fun Run/Walk.

The inaugural event happens before the Woodward Dream Cruise Saturday on the streets of Royal Oak — and hundreds of people have already signed up. 1950s-themed costumes are not required, but they are suggested.

“The race starts at 7:30 a.m. and we’re encouraging people to get there really early, 6 or 6:30 a.m. for sure,” said race organizer Louis Katsaros. “I think it’s going to be a great day, it’s 75 for a high, so it’s going to be perfect for the runners.”

The race will be cleared out by 9 a.m., which is when the cruise officially revs up.

To make the running even as convenient as possible amid the throngs of people already packing Woodward Avenue, organizers have arranged special runners’ parking lots and shuttle buses that will take participants from the lots to Shrine on Woodward, near 12 Mile, the staging area for the race.

If you haven’t signed up yet, don’t worry, registration will go all the way up to 7:25 a.m. Saturday.

“As of last night, we had 474 signed up, we’re expecting closer to 600,” Katsaros said, adding all proceeds will go to the Woodward Dream Cruise foundation, which distributes money back to communities along the cruise route.

The race will begin on Yorba Linda Blvd, continue onto Woodward Avenue and through several Royal Oak neighborhoods and finish at Shrine.

“The addition of the Cruise In Shoes 5K run is meant to bring more family fun to the Woodward Dream Cruise experience,” cruise president Greg Rassel said in a press release. “We are urging runners and families to come out Dream Cruise morning and join in the fun. Even dress up as Elvis and have a blast that morning.”

Register online HERE until Thursday, August 16. After that, registration is required in person before the race, cash only.

“We tried to do this a couple of years ago and we had issues getting permits, it’s just another event to make the Dream Cruise bigger and better every year,” Katsaros said. “It’s going to be a fund day for everybody.”

Prizes will be awarded in age and gender categories for costumes and race times.

Parking for runners will be available at Shrine, 2100 12 Mile in Royal Oak, and at Upton Park, at Nakota and Mandalay, south of 14 Mile and west of Coolidge, at at Memorial Park, near Woodward and 13 Mile in Royal Oak.